>newegg.com – for all your computer, electronics, and software needs.

It was one of the first in the mail-order world, now their amazon-like interface, and always low prices make them the only online retailer you need.

I recently placed an order for a Socket 423 to 478 adapter from lynncomp.com and a P4 2.4ghz socket 478 (400mhz bus) from starmicro.net — I received the adapter 3 days later. I had only received an invoice from starmicro.net at that point, no description – just the ammount. After being unable to find a customer service number, I sent a request to sp@starmicro.net to email me back as, after checking the website, the “order information” only contained the description, and the “tracking information” was null.

I waited a good week or two:: nada – so I sent another email to cancel the order as well as disputing the charge with my credit card company (just in case). I ordered from newegg.com — $15 more, but I knew friends who were always getting their orders in about two days or so. I knew it was reliable, and they proved themselves. It’s on it’s way and I’m damn happy, I’ll have a tracking # by tomorrow — this is how it’s supposed to be.

CDUniverse.com (*cough*XMASS*. .*cough*…present*cough*) was also really quick.

They’ve also been around a while. Online commerce doesn’t have to be painful or risky.

I’ve been doing it 5+ years and counting — never had a problem, just be cautious.

Unless they’ve got a good word-of-mouth rep, they’re all the same.

[ upgrade:

[ - P4 1.5ghz Socket-423 (slot) 400mhz, RDRAM

[ -> P4 2.4ghz Socket-478 (adapter) 800mhz, RDRAM

[ The max bus is 400mhz for the motherboard

[ ...before overclocking that is, so it's an experiment.

[ I should be able to get a little boost in the bus,

[ at no expense to the chip, as it's rated for a faster bus to begin with.

** update ** I received my NewEgg order 2 days later. I had issues with the upgrade, but that’s for another entry.

** update 12/07 ** starmicro sent me an email on Friday saying the part shipped… so I’m playing with the idea of keeping it since they’re so bent on sending me the merchandise after I cancelled the order and took the money back. I haven’t gotten it yet, but I’ll probably get it tmw. I should refuse it at the door – but they might still contest it even if I send it back. I don’t need the chip, got a better one from NewEgg (800mhz bus vs 400mhz), but I still kinda want to try it and see how it works with my motherboard.